I know a couple people in their late 20s who recently enlisted, which is very odd and makes me suspect that recruiters are selling it as a sort of pause button

I know a couple people in their late 20s who recently enlisted, which is very odd and makes me suspect that recruiters are selling it as a sort of pause button for adult responsibilities. I joined shortly after 9/11 and ended up fighting in Fallujah... I wouldn't recommend it to anyone I liked. After I got out I was living hand to mouth for a little over a year - which might have been the single most influential hardship in my life. If I were to do any real charity work (instead of a tax advantaged hobby project) it would be teaching personal finance, the need for it can't be overstated - as the financial system actively punishes the unwary. I would not relish the task of brush-up for certification though...